Virginia House Bill HB819

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/22
• Refer: 1/12/22

Caption

Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Department of; collecting and reporting local tax data.

Impact

If enacted, HB 819 would require localities to cooperate with the Department in collecting relevant data through the BPOL (Business, Professional and Occupational License) tax returns. This data would include information on the business's certification status, industry sector, and revenues, which could provide the state with necessary insights to promote supplier diversity and assist in policy-making. Moreover, localities would be encouraged to implement programs that can support qualifying businesses through exemptions or incentives on license taxes.

Summary

House Bill 819 aims to enhance the collection and reporting of local tax data by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. The legislation proposes a structured approach to gather information on local businesses, particularly focusing on those that are small, women-owned, and minority-owned. It emphasizes the importance of having a systematic data collection process that will provide insights into state expenditures on these businesses, helping the government to better understand and support their needs within the landscape of Virginia's economy.

Contention

There may be contention surrounding the potential burden this new requirement places on local governments, particularly smaller jurisdictions that might already face limitations in their administrative capacities. Critics might argue that this could lead to complications or inefficiencies in how local taxes are managed. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that businesses can decline to provide certain information, which could limit the data available for analysis and undermine the bill's intent of enhancing transparency and support for diverse businesses.